Guided Practice in Speaking English

Podcast #91 My Barbers

Over the years I have had many barbers. I’ve easily spent over 200 hours in barber chairs. I don’t remember all my barbers. But some are definitely memorable.

Jerry was my first barber. Jerry was an Italian immigrant. He always had the radio turned to opera. He charged 60 cents.

In college I had a barber named Frank. During a haircut Frank would answer the phone several times. He would write something on a slip of paper. After a few haircuts I figured it out. Frank was taking bets on the horses.

My saddest barber experience was with John. John was a happy and amiable guy. Gradually he became mentally ill. I got nervous having his razor near my neck. I didn’t think he’d ever try to hurt me. But he became easily excitable. I switched barbers. A short time later he sold his shop.

My first barber in Los Angeles was Richard. He was a first-rate craftsman. He took his time and did a great job. Richard regularly went gambling in Las Vegas. He claimed he was a steady winner. Maybe he wasn’t exaggerating. He retired at a pretty young age.

My next barber was Stan. I got great haircuts from Stan. Then he had his shoulders operated on. After that he changed his barbering method. He nowpreferred electric clippers to scissors. The quality of his work went way down.

So I switched to Leonard, my present barber. Leonhard gives a reasonably good haircut. But there is one major problem. Leonard doesn’t like to talk. If you speak to him, he sort of nods. It’s like being in a funeral home. It’s too weird for words. I’m looking for a new barber.